It's no secret that motorists are keeping their cars longer than ever before. Thanks to the recession, the average age of a vehicle on the road recently eclipsed 11 years. Something that may be going unnoticed, however, is that many drivers are pushing their cars to the limits in terms of mileage, and as the quality of vehicles improves its not that unusual to reach mileage that used to be unthinkable, The New York Times reports.

In years past, most cars tapped out after about 100,000 miles. Today, many drivers keep their cars past the 200,000 mile mark, and there are a number of reasons beyond consumers being more thrifty. The biggest cause is increased competition. If a manufacturers products aren't as soundly made, they can suffer serious consequences. Additionally, more stringent emissions regulations and better materials have increased longevity as well.

"Materials are much better," Jagadish Sorab, the technical leader for engine design at Ford Motor, told the Times. "We can use very durable, diamondlike carbon finishes to prevent wear. We have tested our newest breed of EcoBoost engines, in our F-150 pickup, for 250,000 miles. When we tear the engines down, we cannot see any evidence of wear."

The quality of cars may be better than in previous decades, but a lot of the responsibility of eclipsing the 200,000 mile mark falls on the driver. Regular maintenance greatly contributes to how long a car lasts, and ignoring it can spell doom.

New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center offers motorists the perfect opportunity to ensure their car is in working condition. With a knowledgeable staff, the center can provide everything from repairs to general upkeep.

Cars.com recently announced that the Honda Fit was the clear winner of the $16,000 Subcompact Shootout. The qualifications for the competition included a price tag below $16,000, a fuel economy of at least 35 mpg on the highway, four doors and the ability to seat at least four people. The Fit stood out against runner-up Kia Rio, which came close to the Honda. The Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris, Ford Fiesta, Chevrolet Sonic and Hyundai Accent were also
in the contest.

"The term 'econobox' is gone, as today's subcompacts are better built, more efficient and safer," said Patrick Olsen, editor-in-chief of Cars.com. "As gas prices and used-car prices continues to rise, a shootout like this acts as a guide for consumers looking to purchase a new subcompact as an alternative to a used vehicle. In addition to confident handling, a solid transmission, great visibility and unmatched practicality, the Honda Fit is just as fun to drive and emerged as our clear winner."

The cars were pitted against one another in a series of tests, and Honda's subcompact came out on top. Each vehicle was driven for 200 miles on the highway and in stop-and-go traffic to determine their observed mileage. They were also measured for comfort, features, practicality and ride quality.

The Honda Fit has been on the market since 2001, so drivers can consider searching for a used version if they're really looking to save on their next car purchase. In fact, all the vehicles in the Shootout were recently redesigned from older models. The Chevy Sonic is simply a reproduction of the Aveo with a new name and a few upgrades.

Drivers looking to get behind the wheel of a used subcompact or any other fuel-efficient vehicle can head over to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer offers a wide variety of makes and models, and all of their cars have been CARFAX certified, so motorists know they'll drive away in a reliable vehicle.

It just wouldn't be spring without hitting the open road, and with warm weather just around the corner, drivers may want to take time to get their cars ready for the increased travel. Ignoring some important issues could cause significant speed bumps later on, but paying close attention and performing routine maintenance will have you cruising with ease.

The first thing you should do it is make sure everything is tight. Cars have a surprising amount of components that can come loose, and the last things you want is your license plate flying off as you drive down the highway unaware. Additionally, some loose parts, like exhaust clamps, could interfere with how your car runs.

Anybody who has been stranded with a dead battery can tell you it's not fun, and if you're in the middle of a strange highway it can be even worse. To avoid such a fate, make sure you check your battery before the spring hits. In particular, look for corrosion in the terminals and cables, which can eat away at the battery's parts.

As a final step, you should take some time to inspect your windshield. A small crack from a pebble may have seemed insignificant in November, but thanks to the cold weather and several months' worth of wear and tear, it may have become much more noticeable and burdensome. You should make sure you have a clean line of sight before you take off any springtime road trip.

To be fully sure that your car is ready for whatever the road throws at it, you should visit New Jersey State Auto Auction's Total Car Care center. Located in Jersey City and open to the public, its skilled mechanics can perform everything from routine maintenance to crucial repairs.

While many people select used cars with high gas mileage as a way to save money, others also do it to help the environment. But according to Cars.com, there are other ways to go green on the road than purchasing a hybrid vehicle, and the website recently offered a few tips on how to do so this spring.

One of the most important things to keep in mind when shopping for a fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly car is that a hybrid vehicle is not necessarily the best choice. That's because hybrid versions only mean they're fuel-efficient compared to that particular brand, and there could be a better conventional vehicle of a different brand.

In a similar vein, conventional cars have become especially fuel-efficient over the last several years due to rising demand. As a result, some traditional used cars may be the best bet to not only go green, but save some money.

"Not only is driving green good for the environment," said Joe Wiesenfelder, executive editor of Cars.com, "It can help you save a little green in the process. If you expand your definition of a 'green' car beyond just hybrid and electric vehicles, you can easily recognize some of the benefits of being more 'green' behind the wheel."

The website also highlights the importance of considering alternative fuels. Diesel and natural gas both have their merits, and many automakers have said they are trying to expand the cars they offer that run on such fuel.

Regardless of what route you choose to go green, New Jersey State Auto Auction will have you covered. With a wide variety of eco-friendly and fuel-efficient models at affordable prices, you'll be driving away in the perfect car.

Gas prices have been on a steady rise over the last few weeks, prompting many analysts to predict that consumers will place an even greater emphasis on fuel-efficiency when shopping for used cars. According to Kelley Blue Book's Hot Used Car Report for February, they hit the nail on the head.

The report, which measures the activity of used car shoppers on kbb.com, found there was an increase in the number of shoppers researching fuel-efficient vehicles last month. The growth in research of hybrid cars was at the top of the list. The segment experienced a 12.2 percent rise in the number of people looking into purchasing these fuel-efficient vehicles and it was significantly higher than the next-closest competitor.

February also saw an increase in the number of people researching compact cars, though to a lesser degree of hybrids. The segment had a 3.7 percent increase in shopping activity, while sports cars had a 2.8 percent rise. Minivans (2.7 percent) and subcompact cars (2.4 percent) rounded out the top five.

There was a decrease in the number of shoppers looking at mid-size crossovers, a usual favorite among drivers, which did not come as a surprise to some analysts.

"When the price at the pumps is at play, customers will stray," said Arthur Henry, a market analyst for Kelley Blue Book.

Doing research is an integral part of the used car shopping process, especially if you're looking to find one with the best gas mileage. New Jersey State Auto Auction has plenty of fuel-efficient models at affordable prices, and all their vehicles are CARFAX certified so you know you're getting a reliable product.

There has been growing competition among automakers to earn praise for their certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles, and that was on display recently at the 2012 IntelliChoice CPO awards in Las Vegas. The annual event highlights the best used cars in the market and in its 13 years has helped consumers drive away in more reliable vehicles, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The manufacturers themselves can benefit from coming out on top at the IntelliChoice awards, but some analysts say that it is drivers who come out as winners. Thanks to the increased competition among automakers, anybody shopping for a used car in the last several years has likely seen a growth in quality.

"We continue to see marginal year-over-year improvements in CPO program features across all makes, indicating that consumers can benefit from the ever-increasing competition in this market segment," Tyler Schulze, vice president and general manager of IntelliChoice told the Times.

Of course, there are some brands that stand out among the rest. One of the big surprises at the IntelliChoice awards recently was Hyundai. The manufacturer placed first in the "Popular Division," marking a vast improvement in its performance over the last several years. The big reason for its success is a 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty that has resonated well with consumers. Other names in the top five included Volkswagen, Honda, Mini and Toyota.

Whether you're looking for a Hyundai or a used Ford, New Jersey State Auto Auction is the place to go. With a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices, there is something for everyone, and every car is CARFAX certified so you know you're getting a reliable vehicle in the process.